Iraqi Arab in Türkiye (Turkey)


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Modern day Iraq is the location of the ancient Sumerian, Assyrian, and Babylonian empires. Iraq was occupied by Britain during World War I. In 1932, Iraq gained independence from the UK.

The Iraqi Arabs descended from a people group cluster called the Levant Arabs. "Levant" is a broad term that includes several groups of Arabs: the Iraqi, Jordanian, Palestinian, Arabic Jewish, Chaldean, and Syrian Arabs. The Levant Arabs originally settled all over the Arabian Peninsula and later migrated to North Africa. They are spread from Israel to Kuwait and as far east as Iran.

The Arabs are the majority ethnic group in Iraq, though they are divided by religious community.

There have been many waves of Iraqis fleeing war since the 1980s. Being located to the north of Iraq, and being a peaceful country, Turkey has been a preferred destination for Iraqi Arab refugees.


Where Are they Located?

Most Iraqi Arabs in Turkey are in the capital city of Istanbul.


What Are Their Lives Like?

They are hoping to either settle in a different country or return to Iraq. For that reason, the Iraqi Arabs are usually in a holding pattern, biding their time in refugee camps. They will not be able to return to Iraq until the fighting ends and the infrastructure is restored.


Iraq is presently in turmoil. This offers both obstacles and opportunities for the Iraqi Arabs to learn more fully of who Jesus truly is, but that will require believers to obey the Lord faithfully.
What Are Their Beliefs?

The Iraqi Arabs who left Iraq for Turkey are from a number of religious communities: There are Sunni and Shi 'ite Muslims, Alawites, Yezidis, and Christians.


What Are Their Needs?

Iraqi Arabs want a safe place to live and raise their families. They want to live in peace, but peace eludes them in their home country. They go to Turkey, usually as a way-station to Europe, the United States, or a temporary home while their country is at war. Many would prefer to return home.


Prayer Points

Pray that the Iraqi Arabs will find a safe home where they can prosper physically and spiritually.
Pray that the Iraqi Arabs, no matter what religious community they begin with, will seek and find spiritual refuge in Jesus. Pray for them to learn to live like Jesus, and share His ways with others.
Pray for a Christ-oriented church planting movement to begin among Arab Iraqis in Turkey.


Scripture Prayers for the Arab, Iraqi in Türkiye (Turkey).


References

http://www.refugeesolidaritynetwork.org/iraqis-in-turkey/
http://uk.reuters.com/article/feature-iraq-turkey-idUKNOA82883320070718
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqis_in_Turkey
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minorities_in_Turkey#Arabs


Profile Source:   Global Prayer Digest  

People Name General Arab, Iraqi
People Name in Country Arab, Iraqi
Natural Name Iraqi Arab
Pronunciation ee-RAH-kee AE-rub
Alternate Names Arab, Mesopotamian Speakers; Arab-Mesopotamian; Iraqi Arab; Iraqi Arabs; Mesopotamian Spoken; North Iraqi Arab
Population this Country 324,000
Population all Countries 21,539,000
Total Countries 24
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
People ID 12247
ROP3 Code 104056
ROP25 Code 300404
ROP25 Name Arab, Iraqi
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Siirt provinces; very small area in Gaziantep Province.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Türkiye (Turkey)
Region Asia, Central
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 50  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Sanliurfa, Diyarbakir, Mardin, and Siirt provinces; very small area in Gaziantep Province..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Primary Religion: Islam
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.20 %)
0.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
97.30 %
Non-Religious
0.20 %
Other / Small
2.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Arabic, Mesopotamian (324,000 speakers)
Language Code acm   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Arabic, Mesopotamian (324,000 speakers)
Language Code acm   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Arabic, Mesopotamian
Photo Source Christiaan Briggs - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source Bethany World Prayer Center  
Profile Source Global Prayer Digest 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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